Iran reports another daily high in new COVID cases

Mask-clad Iranians shop at the Tajrish Bazaar market in the capital Tehran, on August, 3 2021. (Atta Kenare/AFP)
Mask-clad Iranians shop at the Tajrish Bazaar market in the capital Tehran, on August, 3 2021. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran announces more than 39,000 new COVID cases, the highest in a single day in the Middle East country worst hit by the pandemic.

The health authorities in Iran say another 378 people died of coronavirus and 39,019 tested positive in the past 24 hours.

According to official figures widely believed to underestimate the real toll, the virus has killed 91,785 people in the Islamic Republic out of 3,979,727 cases of infection.

Choked by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money abroad, Iran says it is struggling to import vaccines for its 83 million population.

More than 10.7 million people have been given a first vaccine dose, while 2.8 million have received the necessary two jabs, the health ministry says today.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday ordered that “necessary measures” be taken to contain what the government warns is a “fifth wave” of the country’s outbreak.

The country has avoided imposing a full lockdown on the population, and instead resorted to piecemeal measures such as temporary travel bans and business closures.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.